Harry Reid: How’s about we go a little nuclear up in this Senate?

posted at 4:41 pm on November 7, 2012 by Mary Katharine Ham

I hate to foist him upon you in your time of pain, but alas, one of the biggest winners last night was— against all odds— that Sullen Senate Leader, that Dour Dynamo, Sen. Harrrrrry Reeeeeid! In his press conference today he said he wants to change Senate rules to limit minority rights, but not quite go full nuclear by eliminating the filibuster. More on that in a second.

With late-breaking North Dakota now called an upset for Sen.-elect Heidi Heitkamp (who takes the prize for alliterative name most likely to be used in a children’s book designed to teach children about positive female role models in positions of power) and Nevada for Sen. Dean Heller, Senate Democrats have netted two additional members in their caucus. This, in a year when Democrats were defending 23 seats to Republicans’ 10. Perhaps in the soul-searching Republicans do, they should learn never to write a budget because that seems to work like a charm. I kid. Sort of.

There will now be a record number of women in the Senate — one of them Sen.-elect Deb Fischer of Nebraska who fended off former Sen. Bob Kerrey handily— and the body’s first openly gay senator in Sen.-elect Tammy Baldwin of Wisconsin.

And those are just the Senate contests decided yesterday. In 2010, it was similar. Republicans threw away two of their best chances to gain seats, choosing pathetically incapable candidates in Nevada and Delaware. It’s as if they have a political death wish.

I’d probably be more charitable to some of them, but the fact remains that, while the NRCC provided a bright spot on a dark night, the NRSC, not so much. Hence, this brewing fight.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) pledged on Wednesday to change the rules of the Senate so that the minority party has fewer tools to obstruct legislative business.

In his first post-election press conference, the Nevada Democrat said he wouldn’t go so far as to eliminate the filibuster, which requires 60 votes for the chamber to enter and exit the amendment and debate process. But in remarks meant to preview a more combative approach during the next session, he warned Republicans that obstructionism as a tactic won’t be tolerated — or as technically feasible.

“I want to work together, but I also want everyone to also understand, you cannot push us around. We want to work together,” Reid said.

“I do” have plans to change the Senate rules, he added. “I have said so publicly and I continue to feel that way … I think the rules have been abused, and we are going to work to change them. We will not do away with the filibuster, but we will make the senate a more meaningful place. We are going to make it so we can get things done.”

A year and a half ago, when Reid was toying with this idea, I thought it as an unwise gamble given Republican likelihood to take the reins in 2012. Reid takes a similar gamble, and risks some stultifying fights over parliamentary rules for rule-changing in the Senate, if he changes the rules this time around, but given how this year turned out, the cost-benefit analysis may change. Gains for Democrats may be tough in ’14 because Republicans will be defending seats in the deep-red South.

Reid used his podium to pick on what he considers the Republican sins of the past two years.

“I repeat, to have the leader of the Republicans in the Senate say his No. 1 goal is to defeat Obama, and that’s how we legislated out there for two years,” Reid said.

He also half-dared Republicans to try objecting when the country next has to raise the debt ceiling, as it soon will. “If it has to be raised, we’ll raise it,” he said.

But he would make no similarly hard-and-fast promises about the timeline for other legislation, nor would he say what the country could expect to see as a first order of business in the new Congress — past the necessity of addressing the fiscal cliff.

Immigration reform? “It’s very, very high on my list,” Reid said, not committing to a timeline. “The only thing we need to get immigration reform done is a few Republican votes.”

Democrats in the Senate may be in the minority, but we represent millions of American citizens. The nuclear option would deny these Americans their rightful voice in the governance of the nation. Moreover, we will not always be in the minority. The nuclear option would trample on the rights of whichever group of Americans — Republicans or Democrats — happen to be represented by the Senate minority at any given time.

Listen to the words of two of our great Senate Leaders: Former Republican Leader Howard Baker wrote in 1993 that limiting the right to extended debate “would topple one of the pillars of American Democracy: the protection of minority rights from majority rule. The Senate is the only body in the federal government where these minority rights are fully and specifically protected.” And half a century earlier, Democratic Leader and later President Lyndon Johnson said: “In this country, a majority may govern but it does not rule. The genius of our constitutional and representative government is the multitude of safeguards provided to protect minority interests.”

The Senate conducts most of its business by cooperation and consent. The minority provides that consent with the expectation that the courtesies it extends to the majority will be met with respect for minority rights. And no Senate right is more fundamental than the right to debate. Should the majority choose to break the rules that give us that right, the majority should not expect to receive cooperation from the minority in the conduct of Senate business.

Of course Democrats would never block legislation vital to our troops or other national security interests, and we will help ensure that critical government services continue to function for the American people. Beyond that very limited scope, however, we will be reluctant to enter into any consent agreement that facilitates Senate activities, even on routine matters. Just this year we passed the class action and bankruptcy bills under procedures negotiated in good faith between the majority and the minority. We would decline to provide such cooperation in the future if you implement the nuclear option.

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I’d probably be more charitable to some of them, but the fact remains that, while the NRCC provided a bright spot on a dark night, the NRSC, not so much.

While I won’t blame the NRSC and Cornyn for the primary process, they do shoulder the blame for so many Senate races that should’ve been easy wins for the GOP going to the Dems. Something’s not right here. Because Republicans clearly have no problems winning statewide races given the number of governorships they currently hold. So why is it so difficult to win Senate seats, particularly against incumbents with the albatross of Obamacare and Porkulus around their necks.

Mercifully, though it made it into the president’s victory speech Tuesday, Reid seems to recognize that climate change legislation is a tough one, saying “I hope we can address it.” Although, knowing the track record of President Obama, this will be priority No. 1 since it’d impose expensive solutions that don’t work on people who don’t want them and who also don’t prioritize the issue.

Mary Katharine Ham

.
Obama’s priority is the weakening and ultimate destruction of the U.S.
This will accomplish that objective, as fast as anything else.

Reid’s largely bluffing here, — mostly because any bill important enough to the liberal cause to deploy the nuclear option would never make it through the house (except for, now likely, immigration reform). but don’t be surprised to see him threaten this as a way to start pile-driving obama’s federal judge nominees through the Senate.

Spending originates in the House. I would suggest that Boehner not send any spending or fund any spending until the libs put all their cards on the table, and make the cuts and fix the fiscal calamity.

I have nothing to lose, now that we don’t have Mitt to look forward to, shut the government down and make Reid pass a budget, from the House, and send it to the president so he can own it. No more cash cow.

You know, it’s really kicking us when we’re down to feature anything with this guy’s picture on the front page. As for the rule change, what difference does it make? Boehner will cave on anything they want, so it’s not like a filibuster will accomplish much anyway.

Why shouldn’t he just completely eliminate the rights of the minority party? It’s not like he has to worry about the press. I mean hell, Obama should just issue Executive Orders and the Senate can just pass anything they want. The media will just spin it as them doing what it takes to get us going again.

As we saw with Obamacare, anything negative that comes of it they can just wrongly blame on the Republicans and the media will back them up.

Do you know how many people actually think Romney doesn’t pay any taxes, or that he cheats his taxes? Why wouldn’t those same voters just swallow this and smile like idiots?

Er, I don’t know what all the fuss is about. Obama doesn’t need the Congress. He just pronounces “So let it be written, so let it be done” and there you go.

And the Congress as an institution lost all claims as a great and fair deliberative body when they flattened every rule in both Robert’s Rules of Order and Jefferson’s Manual to pass Obamacare.

What in the heck do you think you have to counter this lawlessness? Do you really think the Mob’s boy toy, Harry, is going to be referencing his consciense over the next decade or so? It’s over folks. Kaput.

What does he have to worry about. If we could not take one seat in the Senate (sh-t we lost a seat)in this atmosphere. Republicans will never regain control of the Senate. At least not for a very,very long time

Dems should have to choose between debt ceiling raise or higher taxes. Republicans should hold the cards, let’s hope they are wise enough to use them.

Ellis on November 7, 2012 at 4:53 PM

And just who or what do you believe will defend the power of the purse? John Roberts? Elections have consequences and we just voted to burn the Constitution. I wonder if Justice Roberts understands that he’s now redundant. A rubber stamp.

Please feel free to enjoy whatever ‘Non-traitor’ blog I am sure you are moving to. Or to make stuff a bit easier on yourself, you can ask your doctor to adjust your meds. It appears your paranoid delusions are getting the best of you . . .

Although, knowing the track record of President Obama, this will be priority No. 1 since it’d impose expensive solutions that don’t work on people who don’t want them and who also don’t prioritize the issue.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) pledged on Wednesday to change the rules of the Senate so that the minority party has fewer tools to obstruct legislative business.
=======================================
Lovely,

so Harry Reid is essentailly saying,YOU LOST,go sit in the corner
and Shut!!

Reid’s largely bluffing here, — mostly because any bill important enough to the liberal cause to deploy the nuclear option would never make it through the house (except for, now likely, immigration reform). but don’t be surprised to see him threaten this as a way to start pile-driving obama’s federal judge nominees through the Senate.

Robert_Paulson on November 7, 2012 at 4:49 PM

Regrettably, Reid is not bluffing. Because the RATs gained seats in the Senate yesterday, there is little likelihood of a GOP takeover of the Senate in 2015. Which means that the DNC is going to move Heaven and Earth to flip enough House seats to reinstall Steny Hoyer as speaker for the last two years of the Obama presidency.

The threat is real. Boehner and McConnell should play for appearances but allow the economy to weaken further for 2014 and make Obama own it. Six-year itch and all that.

GOP has proven it can win a midterm electorate; it cannot win a presidential electorate, at least for now.

The Republicans need to get the smear machine out and slime the hell out of Reid personally. He is old, ugly, and white, so it shouldn’t be a problem; they can do to him what the Democrats did to Gingrich. Enough of this “civility” crap, I’m sick of hearing it from our side.

Reid wants to get rid of the Filibuster for judicial nominations, that is his goal. He can’t do anything about the conservative House, he is powerless on pieces of legislation but with judicial confirmations he doesn’t need the House.

We need to get some articulate, camera friendly fighters in leadership roles which means Boehner and McConnell have to go. Paul Ryan as speaker is a good start.

As for taxes, Republicans are just going to have to swallow the tax hikes on the so called 1%. Maybe they can bump the top rate to those earning $1 million or more, but if Obama and America want 4 more years of sluggish growth then give it to them, but get something in return.

The Republcan should start proposing tax hikes on all major Dem constituents: Hollywood, sports and other entertainment industry. Confiscatory taxation.

rickyricardo on November 7, 2012 at 5:00 PM

No, just play for public consumption but let the sequester kick in. Let the ignorant Obama voters have some skin in the game with a federal tax increase, particularly those exempted from federal taxes.

“I want to work together, but I also want everyone to also understand, you cannot push us around. We want to work together,” Reid said.

If you want to work together then STOP FILLING THE GOD DAMN TREE ON EVERY BILL.

Reid is a piece of work. He has killed more legislation than Republicans by a factor of ten, at least, between filling the tree to stifle the amendment process, and not bringing a bill to the floor at all.

Boehner, McConnell, Cornyn – they produce NOTHING for you from a legislative standpoint and they too cowardly to do their job of oversight against this President. Fire them now! Especially since all these guys were in charge when the economy melted down in 2007. You guys attempted to win this election with the same guys who LOST so badly in 2008. It doesn’t work folks.

Cornyn – spent what? Eight million on Carly Fiorina in California in an election where Barbara Boxer wiped the floor with her face? 8 Million in NRSC funds down the tube. How much did they waste on Snottie Brown to be defeated by a fake indian? Remember – Cornyn is the one that endorsed Charlie Christ over Marco Rubio … Arlen Specter over Pat Toomey …

Jesus folks, haven’t you seen ENOUGH political malpractice from John Cornyn now to fire his ass? How long are you guys going to put up with this? What does he have to do to get fired? Get caught stroking the nether regions of Obama as Fatboi Chris Christie did? Please guys – wake up here.

I know I am beating a dead horse and probably guilty of bringing
up conspiracy thinking, however:

If repubs gained members in the house, how did Romney lose?
Does this mean that people split the ticket, voted for repub
house members and then voted for Obama?

I know I am half brain dead from not having a lot of sleep; could someone tell me what I am missing?

How did Mia Love lose in Utah?

Amjean on November 7, 2012 at 5:13 PM

Obama won because the urban vote drowned out the rural vote and handed him entire states. Rural districts is where local GOP candidates were able to win in the House.

Mia Love lost her first national election to a 6 term incumbent who is supposedly a moderate Democrat. Her loss is a surprise because of some faulty polls that mislead us, but she still had an impressive showing for such a young black woman fresh on the scene. Her future is bright.

I think he should go with nuclear option in the Senate… Do it little f***… We need to let the liberals do what ever they want to do… The nation would never learn until more and more suffering is inflicted by liberals on her…

And GOP should demand access to ALL databases in ALL states. I’d be happy to check to see if transactional logging was turned on at the time of voting, as any sane organization does in real world. Something tells me all the “key” states had logging turned off and that means that someone deleted millions of R votes. All the high turnout reports we’ve been fed for the past 2 weeks along with “huge” turnout last night, with lines miles long, and today we all of a sudden are told that turnout was way less than in 2008? Really?

We are not alone. This has happened before…with good results in the end, eventually.This …….got men in the boats beside Washington.

The Crisis
by Thomas Paine

December 23, 1776
THESE are the times that try men’s souls. The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of their country; but he that stands by it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman. Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered; yet we have this consolation with us, that the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph. What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly: it is dearness only that gives every thing its value. Heaven knows how to put a proper price upon its goods; and it would be strange indeed if so celestial an article as FREEDOM should not be highly rated. Britain, with an army to enforce her tyranny, has declared that she has a right (not only to TAX) but “to BIND us in ALL CASES WHATSOEVER” and if being bound in that manner, is not slavery, then is there not such a thing as slavery upon earth. Even the expression is impious; for so unlimited a power can belong only to God……

I’m not in the habit of praying to God for things, usually just so darn thankful. I am praying for a truly eye opening, no way of denying experience that will befall the press and the Left, but I repeat myself.

OT
Putin congratulates his Flexible comrade Obama on his win, and Medvedev takes a shot at Romney digging him for saying Russia was our No. 1 enemy, and that this was some type of paranoia on Romney’s part.

And then their Nuculer Sub is spotted 200 miles off our coast last week…. and the media looks the other way…..

Its time to to split this country up Geographically/Politically or there will no longer be a USA to live in.

And GOP should demand access to ALL databases in ALL states. I’d be happy to check to see if transactional logging was turned on at the time of voting, as any sane organization does in real world. Something tells me all the “key” states had logging turned off and that means that someone deleted millions of R votes. All the high turnout reports we’ve been fed for the past 2 weeks along with “huge” turnout last night, with lines miles long, and today we all of a sudden are told that turnout was way less than in 2008? Really?

FRAUD on massive scale, nothing else explains this.

riddick on November 7, 2012 at 5:30 PM

riddick:I agree,and,

in 2008,it was called at 11:00PM
in 2012,it was called at 11:15PM

Andrew Kaczynski ‏@BuzzFeedAndrew

2008: election called at 11pm, 2012: election called at 11:15pm.

And as the polls were closing,they had a winner(who won the state)
within a hour,it F..$%^&*()_ stinks!

Let it burn. Give him everything he wants and tell him he owns every last bit of it.

BTW nice bipartisan spirit from Reid. Oh wait bi partisanship is for soul searching Republicans hoping they can somehow get people to like them. The problem isn’t our messaging its that we don’t control the media and all of popular culture. You aren’t going to win over minorties or women unless you become Democrats. Chris Christie figureed that out before the election was over and now he’s BFF’s with Obama and The Boss.

First I want to make sure you understood what I meant by that. I agree with almost everything that Gov. Palin believes but she has been so reviled and trivialized that I think this country would have to be in a place that it was universally accepted that we are at the eve of destruction before she would be even considered in a leadership role.
I don’t know who else can or will.